Pope Alexander V (Benoit)

Pope Alexander V (11 January 1302-), born Benoit de Bourgogne-Comte, was Pope from 2 November 1339, succeeding Pope Benedict XII.

Biography
Benoit de Bourgogne-Comte was born on 11 January 1302 to the Bourgogne-Comte family in France, and he was ordained as a cardinal under Pope Benedict XII. At the young age of 37, he was consecrated as Pope after the death of Benedict XII, and he spent his first two years granting absolution to Christian rulers who pleaded for him to forgive their sins. On 4 January 1341, the excommunicated King Alfonso XI of Castile installed Antipope Callixtus III in opposition to him. On 20 February 1342, Alexander once more faced a challenge when Queen Joanna I of Naples declared war on him, starting a war between the Kingdom of Naples and Papal States.